Maldonado gets 10-spot grid penalty for Monaco

Eric Mauk

Spanish GP winner Pastor Maldonado had his charge for back-to-back wins blunted before qualifying even started Saturday at Monaco, as he assured himself of a starting spot deep in tomorrow's Monaco Grand Prix field with a dangerous move in morning practice.

Maldonado was issued a 10-spot grid penalty for tomorrow's race after chopping across the bow of Sergio Perez toward the end of Saturday practice. The Williams driver was coming around Perez at the entrance to the famed tunnel when he made a sharp move to his right across the front of Perez' nose.

Pastor Maldonado, Williams

Photo by: xpb.cc

The penalty made a bad session worse for Maldonado, as he had suffered damage after moderate contact with the wall. Today's chopping maneuver was not unfamiliar to fans of the Spain winner as he was given a similar penalty at the Belgian GP a year ago after a chop of Lewis Hamilton.